Les Rosan: Oh, to be so blissfully ignorant

Friday, August 2, 2013

I have occupied this space for over two years and with the exception of just one time it has been my policy not to engage anonymous online posters with this column.

In addition to various online comments, I have received written correspondence and e-mail from a number of readers who have identified themselves and in those instances I always reply. My personal philosophy, which has remained constant, is that if it is important enough to say, one should have the fortitude to step up to the plate, identify oneself, and then fire away.

The anonymous nature of the Internet has changed the rules, and the process often degenerates into a forum for spiteful individuals who delight in spewing ignorance and hate while remaining immune to accountability.

Last week I wrote of my experience with the 22nd annual Michigander Bicycle Tour. A portion of that column detailed a terrifying experience where three of us were forced off the road by the driver of an oversized truck. The first online comment to this particular missive which appeared almost immediately was from an individual known online as “BilliamHill.”

“More often than not, the bike riders think they have the full rights of the road. That is the STATUS QUO. Being a runner(two marathons) for over four decades, I never got the bike riding thing. The running is much better for ya anyway. Don’t see many big belly runners. Know what else Lester, you won’t have any problems getting over to the dangerous “unstable shoulder.”

Want to ride bicycles on highways/main thoroughfares, roll the dice. Not to smart anyway. Should be illegal. P.S. Here’s a project for ya, ask the DNR Director how he feels about the biking and what you bicyclers financially contribute as opposed to e.g. fisherman, boaters and hunters . Pay for those bicycle paths/trails you use? MTGA pay for em?” BilliamHill

The post was offensive, but more troubling was that the comment was ignorant and posted by someone who I could only describe as a classic ignoramus regarding this particular topic. The term ignoramus does not reflect on any individual’s intellectual level but instead only on the fact that they are uninformed or uneducated about a specific topic.

For all I know this poster may be a genius but he/she is “utterly ignorant” when it comes to the legal right of bicyclists and the safety precautions they must take when utilizing the public highways of this state for non-motorized transportation. I can only assume that if we had been killed by this maniac driver, “BilliamHill” would be the first to assert it was our fault since we should not have been there in the first place.

Here are just a few enlightening facts about the rights of all bicyclists. We were legally using a public roadway when the truck driver committed a criminal offense by operating his vehicle in a willful and wanton disregard for our lives and property. (See “reckless driving”, MVC section 257.626) The Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, section 257.657, further defines the legal rights of bicyclists in language unambiguous even to those who are sometimes challenged by the nuances of reality.

“Each person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or moped or operating a low-speed vehicle upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to the provisions of this chapter which by their nature do not have application.”

“BilliamHill”s admission that he “never got the bike thing” may explain the callous nature when he/she chose to address me by name. “Know what else Lester, you won’t have any problems getting over to the dangerous ‘unstable shoulder.’”

I can only surmise that “BilliamHill” actually believes that bicyclists can safely exit pavement for an “unstable shoulder” at any time. I would challenge anyone to get on a road bike and try at 20 mph and see how it well it works out.

A road tire with 100 pounds of pressure will dig into most soft shoulders and will most likely throw the rider from the bike either onto the shoulder or back into the path of the vehicle which forced the rider from the road in the first place. Oh that’s right. We are not supposed to be there at all, are we, Bill?

At “BilliamHill’”’s urging I contacted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources where I spoke with Edward Golder, the public information officer. He confirmed that the Conservation Division of the DNR is partially funded with license fees, but the Parks and Recreation Division, which includes recreational trails, has a number of different funding components.

He said the DNR is a strong advocate for trail development with the governor recently proposing a state-long trail stretching more than 900 miles between Detroit and Ironwood. The DNR recognizes the economic value of trails as they pertain to tourism, with the state having no plans to cut back on trail development efforts.

I also spoke with Mr. Barry Culham of the Michigan Trailways and Greenways Alliance, who said this year’s Michigander Tour included 123 people from 22 different states and the Canadian province of Ontario. Most will return next year and bring additional friends and their tourism dollars back to Michigan. Trail development and related bicycle touring is a win-win investment for the economic well being of our state.

“BilliamHill,” please note my e-mail address. I would welcome your appearance from behind the curtain of anonymity where your concerns could be addressed in a more effective and positive fashion. Perhaps we could even discuss our differing views while bicycling on the nearby gem, the Fred Meijer Heartland Recreational Rail Trail.

Les Rosan is a Morning Sun columnist. His e-mail is LRInvestigations@charter.net